Automatic setting of an alert mode on a wireless device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are provided for automatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device. Scheduling data is received which defines a predetermined period utilized to set the alert mode. The scheduling data may be received either by direct input in the wireless device or alternatively from an external edge device, such as a network server, in a communications network. In response to receiving the scheduling data, an alert mode on the wireless device is automatically set for the predetermined period. The alert mode may include a silent alert mode on the wireless device. The wireless device may include a sensor for receiving data indicative of a current external state. The sensor data may include location data, temperature data, and ambient noise data. The received sensor data may be utilized to automatically trigger the setting of an alert mode in the wireless device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/275,340, filed May 12, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,194, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/603,158, filed Sep.4, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,725,216, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/904,998, filed Sep. 28, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,260,366, each of which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

Modern wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones,allow users to manually enable a “silent mode” setting so that audiblering or other alert tones for incoming calls, text messages or othernotifications are silenced so as to not interrupt others in groupsettings (e.g., meetings, religious services, and the like). However,many users of wireless communications devices either forget to set theirdevices to silent mode or are unaware of the procedure to do so,resulting in others being interrupted by audible alerts resulting fromincoming calls, text messages or other notifications.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments are provided for automatically setting an alert mode on awireless device. In one embodiment, scheduling data is received whichdefines a predetermined period utilized to set the alert mode on thewireless device. The scheduling data may be received either by directinput in the wireless device or alternatively from an external edgedevice, such as a network server, in a communications network. Inresponse to receiving the scheduling data, an alert mode on the wirelessdevice is automatically set for the predetermined period defined inscheduling data. The alert mode may include a silent alert mode on thewireless device.

In accordance with another embodiment, the wireless device may include asensor for receiving data indicative of a current external stateassociated with the wireless device. The sensor data may includelocation data, temperature data, and ambient noise data. The receivedsensor data may be utilized to automatically trigger the setting of analert mode in the wireless device based on the current external state.

These and other features and advantages will be or become apparent toone with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings anddetailed description. It is intended that all such features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Itis to be understood that both the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are illustrative only and are notrestrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram illustrating aspects of networkdevices utilized in and provided by various embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless communications device utilizedin the network architecture of FIG. 1, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a process forautomatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a process for receivingscheduling data utilized in setting an alert mode on a wireless device,in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a process forautomatically setting an alert mode on a wireless device from a networkedge device, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a process forautomatically setting an alert mode utilizing sensor data, in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a process forautomatically setting an alert mode utilizing venue-based data, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are provided for automatically setting an alert mode on awireless device. In one embodiment, scheduling data is received whichdefines a predetermined period utilized to set the alert mode on thewireless device. The scheduling data may be received either by directinput in the wireless device or alternatively from an external edgedevice, such as a network server, in a communications network. Inresponse to receiving the scheduling data, an alert mode on the wirelessdevice is automatically set for the predetermined period defined inscheduling data. The alert mode may include a silent alert mode on thewireless device. In accordance with another embodiment, the wirelessdevice may include a sensor for receiving data indicative of a currentexternal state associated with the wireless device. The sensor data mayinclude location data, temperature data, and ambient noise data. Thereceived sensor data may be utilized to automatically trigger thesetting of an alert mode in the wireless device based on the currentexternal state.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These embodimentsmay be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structuralchanges may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is therefore notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements through the several figures, various aspects of the presentinvention and an illustrative network environment will be described. Inparticular, FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable network in which theinvention may be implemented.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computer process, acomputing device, or as an article of manufacture, such as a computerprogram product. The computer program product may be a computer storagemedium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program ofinstructions for executing a computer process. The computer programproduct may also be a propagated signal on a carrier readable by acomputing system and encoding a computer program of instructions forexecuting a computer process.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative network environment 2 for theseveral embodiments, utilizing the techniques described herein, will bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 1, the network environment 2 may comprise acentralized communications network 18 which includes a wireless device20 which may be utilized for voice and data communications. In oneembodiment, the wireless device 20 may comprise a wireless telephonesuch as a “smartphone.” As should be understood by those skilled in theart, smartphones combine the functions of a conventional mobiletelephone with functionality typically included in a personal orhand-held computer (such as a personal digital assistant (“PDA”))including, but not limited to, an operating system, a processor and amemory for executing and storing various application programs, agraphics capable display, Internet access, e-mail access, short messageservice (“SMS”) communications, scheduling software, audio recording,contact management, Global Positioning System (“GPS”) navigationhardware and software, infrared wireless technology, BLUETOOTH wirelesstechnology, and wireless fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) technology for communicatingdata over 802.11 networks. In particular, the wireless device 20 may beoperative to execute an alerting application 66 for automaticallysetting an alert mode. In accordance with one embodiment, the alertingapplication 66 may be operative to generate a user interface to receivescheduling data which defines a predetermined period utilized to set thealert mode. The scheduling data may be received either by direct inputin the wireless device 20 or alternatively from an external “edge”device, such as stationary emitter 13, wireless device 21, server 22, orpersonal computer 26. In response to receiving the scheduling data, thealerting application 66 may be utilized to automatically set the alertmode for the predetermined period defined in scheduling data. Thecomponents and functionality of the wireless device 20 will be discussedin greater detail below with respect to FIG. 2.

The wireless device 20 may be in communication with a mobile switchingcenter (“MSC”) 10. The MSC 10 may be utilized to communicate voice callsfrom the wireless device 20 over the public switched telephone network(“PSTN”). The wireless device 20 may also be in communication with awireless data gateway 12 for communicating data messages over a widearea computer network, such as the Internet. As is known to thoseskilled in the art, wireless data gateways enable wireless communicationof data over a computer network. Those skilled in the art will furtherappreciate that the functions of the wireless data gateway 12 may beincorporated into the MSC 10.

As discussed above, the network environment 2 may also include externaledge devices such as the stationary emitter 13, the wireless device 21,the server 22, and the personal computer 26. As defined herein and inthe appended claims, an “edge device” may include a device which isexternal to a centralized communication network (such as the network 18)and which may be in intermittent communication with the network 18. Asdefined herein and in the appended claims, an “edge device” may alsoinclude a device which is never in communication with a centralizedcommunication network at all but which is in intermittent communicationwith other devices which may be in communication with the centralizedcommunication network. For example, in the network environment 2, thewireless device 21 may be in intermittent communication with thewireless device 20 and may be capable of sending scheduling datareceived from the stationary emitter 13 (also an edge device) forsetting an alert mode to the wireless device 20.

In accordance with one embodiment, the stationary emitter 13 may be adevice configured to trigger a silent alert mode in the wireless device21 upon the occurrence of an event in a venue. For example, thestationary emitter 13 may be located in a venue utilized for religiousservices and may be configured to send venue data (e.g., schedulingdata) to the alerting application 66 executing on the wireless device 21during a scheduled religious service. The alerting application 66 maythen cause the wireless device 21 to enter into a silent alert modewhich lasts the duration of the religious service. In accordance withanother embodiment, the wireless device 21 may further be configured to“discover” other devices in the vicinity (e.g., by communicating adiscovery signal within the facility utilizing any number of wirelesscommunications methods) and wirelessly communicate data causing thediscovered device or devices to also enter into the silent alert mode.

The server 22 may include interactive voice response (“IVR”)functionality for utilizing the alerting application 66 to receivescheduling data for setting an alert mode for the wireless device 20. Itshould be understood that once the scheduling data is received on theserver 22, the scheduling data may then be communicated to the wirelessdevice 20 to set the alert mode. The personal computer 26 may beoperative to execute the alerting application 66 which may be utilizedto send scheduling data for setting an alert mode on the wireless device20. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the server22 and the personal computer 26 may communicate with the network 18utilizing a variety of low speed and high speed connections, including,but not limited to, Integrated Services Digital Network (“ISDN”),Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), and T1 lines. In accordance withvarious embodiments, the personal computer 26 may also communicate withthe network 18 via wireless and wireline connections to a wirelessnetwork (such as a cellular network) or a cable services network via acable modem. These and other connections for communicating with computernetworks are well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the wireless device 20 will now be described ingreater detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless device 20 includes aprocessor 60 and a memory 62. In the wireless device 20, the processor60 is connected to a display 28, a keypad 32, a radio module 40, avibrator 70, a microphone 72, a speaker 74, a location sensor 76 (whichmay include, but is not limited to, a GPS receiver) for determining alocation, and a temperature sensor 80 for measuring ambient temperature.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the vibrator70 may have functionality for generating silent mode alerts on thewireless device 20. The radio module 40 may be operative to send andreceive voice and data via a connected antenna 42. In accordance withvarious embodiments, the wireless communications module may include, butis not limited to, a BLUETOOTH wireless technology communicationsmodule, a Wi-Fi communications module for communicating data over 802.11networks including IEEE 802.16 (“WiMAX”), and an infrared communicationsmodule.

The memory 62 stores an operating system 63, scheduling data 64, whichmay be utilized in scheduling alert mode periods, the alertingapplication 66, and other data 68 such as ring tones for audible modealerts on the wireless device 20. It will be appreciated that in oneembodiment, the memory 62 may comprise a computer-readable storage mediaincluding volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readablestorage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (“DVD”), or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by a computer. It shouldbe appreciated that the wireless device 21 may include many of the samecomponents illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above.

As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the alerting application 66may be operative to generate a user interface which may be utilized toautomatically set an alert mode on the wireless device 20 using thescheduling data 64 which defines a predetermined period for the durationof the alert mode. It should be understood that in accordance withvarious embodiments, the alert modes set on the wireless device 20 mayinclude either a silent alert mode (which may include a vibrating alert)or an audible alert mode (which may include a ring tone alert). Itshould be understood that the type of the alert mode may be manuallyselected by a user of the alerting application 66 or automaticallyselected by the alerting application 66 based on sensor data measured bythe sensors 76 and 80 as well as the microphone 72. Logical operationsillustrating the operation of the alerting application 66 inautomatically setting alert modes will be described in greater detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 3-5.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustrative routine 300 will be describedillustrating a process performed by the alerting application 66 in thenetwork environment 2 for automatically setting an alert mode on thewireless device 20. When reading the discussion of the routinespresented herein, it should be appreciated that the logical operationsof various embodiments of the present invention are implemented (1) as asequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on acomputing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits orcircuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is amatter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of thecomputing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logicaloperations illustrated in FIG. 3-5 and making up the embodiments of thepresent invention described herein are referred to variously asoperations, structural devices, acts or modules. It will be recognizedby one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices,acts and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in specialpurpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviatingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within theclaims set forth herein.

The routine 300 begins at operation 310, where the alerting application66 receives the scheduling data 64 to set an alert mode period for analert mode which may be selected on the wireless device 20. For example,in accordance with an embodiment, a user of the wireless device 20having a weekly meeting on Mondays between 2 PM and 3 PM may enter, viaa user interface generated by the alerting application 66, theaforementioned scheduling data 64 to enter the desired day, period, andalert mode type so as to schedule the wireless device 20 toautomatically enter into a silent alert mode every Monday during thepredetermined period (i.e., the alert mode period).

It will be appreciated that the scheduling data 64 for scheduling analert mode may be received by the wireless device 20 utilizing a numberof methods. In particular, in accordance with various embodiments, thescheduling data 64 may be received via direct input into the alertingapplication 66 executing on the wireless device 20 (e.g., via the keypad32) or via a signal communicated by an edge device, such as the server22, executing the alerting application 66. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the scheduling data 64 may be remotelyentered in an edge device by a user via voice or data entry. Forexample, in accordance with an embodiment, the alerting application 66may be a networked application enabling a user to remotely enter thescheduling data 64 on the server 22 via a web page on the personalcomputer 26, which is in communication with the server 22. In accordancewith another embodiment, a user may use either voice or keypad entry onthe wireless device 20 to remotely enter the scheduling data 64 into thealerting application 66 executing on the server 22. For example, if theserver 22 comprises IVR functionality, a user may utilize voice orkeypad input (such as a feature code) on the wireless device 20, thewireless device 21, or another communications device, to enter thescheduling data 64. The alerting application 66, upon receiving thescheduling data 64 on the server 22, may be configured to then send thescheduling data 64 to the wireless device 20 and further remotely andautomatically set the wireless device to an alert mode identified in thescheduling data 64 during the alert mode period selected by a user.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that remotely sending thescheduling data 64 and setting the alert mode on the wireless device 20may be facilitated by over-the-air provisioning (“OTAP”). Generally,OTAP uses wireless mechanisms to send software and provisioning data tomobile devices automatically. It will be appreciated that when utilizingthe server 22 (or any other edge device) to enter the scheduling data64, it is not necessary for the alerting application 66 to be installedon the wireless device 20.

From operation 310, the routine 300 continues to operation 320, wherethe alerting application 66 automatically sets the wireless device 20 tothe alert mode identified in the scheduling data 64 for the alert modeperiod. In particular, upon receiving the scheduling data 64, thealerting application 66 may be configured to automatically access anexisting alert mode menu on the wireless device 20, and if necessary,set the desired alert mode (e.g., silent mode). Once the alert mode hasbeen set, the wireless device 20 may emit an alert corresponding to thespecified alert mode (e.g., a vibrating alert if a silent mode isspecified) when receiving incoming calls during the alert mode period.The alerting application 66 may also be configured to keep track of thealert mode period as it elapses and once the alert mode period haselapsed, reset the alert mode to the previous setting (if necessary). Asdiscussed above with respect to operation 310, the alert mode may beautomatically set remotely by the alerting application 66 executing onthe server 22 via OTAP.

From operation 320, the routine 300 continues to operation 330, wherethe alerting application 66 determines, during the alert mode period,whether the alert mode period is nearing expiration. If, at operation330, the alerting application 66 determines that the alert mode periodis nearing expiration, the routine 300 continues to operation 340 wherethe alerting application 66 may then automatically alert a user of thewireless device 20 of the expiring alert mode. For example, the alertingapplication 66 may be configured to cause the wireless device 20 togenerate an increasing sequence of vibrating alerts to notify the userthat the alert mode period is coming to an end. From operation 340, theroutine 300 continues to operation 350.

If, at operation 330, the alerting application 66 determines that thealert mode period is not nearing expiration, the routine 300 branches tooperation 350 where the alerting application 66 determines, during thealert mode period, whether an input has been received on the wirelessdevice 20 to extend the alert mode period. In particular, the alertingapplication 66 on the wireless device 20 may be configured to program a“hot key” on the keypad 32 for extending the alert mode period a furtherpredetermined period.

If, at operation 350, the alerting application 66 determines that aninput for extending the alert mode period has been received on thewireless device 20, the routine 300 continues to operation 360 where thealerting application 66 may then automatically extend the alert mode foran additional predetermined period. For example, if a meeting for whicha user has previously scheduled a silent alert mode is running behindschedule, the user may extend the alert mode by pressing the programmedhot key on the wireless device 20 to automatically extend the silentalert mode period an additional thirty minutes, hour, etc. Fromoperation 360, the routine 300 then returns to operation 330 where thealerting application 66 determines, during the extended alert modeperiod, whether the extended alert mode period is nearing expiration.

If, at operation 350, the alerting application 66 determines that aninput for extending the alert mode period has not been received on thewireless device 20, then the previously scheduled alert mode periodcontinues to run until it has elapsed. From operation 350, the routine300 then ends.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an illustrative routine 400 will be describedillustrating a process performed by the alerting application 66 in thenetwork environment 2 for receiving the scheduling data 64 utilized insetting an alert mode on the wireless device 20, in accordance withvarious embodiments. The routine 400 begins at operation 410 where thealerting application 66 logs previously entered scheduling data 64utilized for setting previous alert mode periods on the wireless device20. In particular, the alerting application 66 may be configured tostore the scheduling data 64 received for scheduling individual alertmodes on the wireless device 20 and present the previous scheduling data64 to a user (i.e., in a user interface) for selection as the currentscheduling data prior to receiving new scheduling data.

From operation 410, the routine 400 continues to operation 420, wherethe alerting application 66 receives a request to use previousscheduling data 64 to set a current alert mode period. For example, thealerting application 66 may be configured to generate a user interfacefrom which a user may select previously entered scheduling data 64having an alert mode period which the user wishes to reuse to set acurrent alert mode period. It should be appreciated that in this manner,the scheduling of alert mode periods is facilitated by enabling users toselect and reuse previously entered scheduling data without having toreenter the scheduling data 64 in the alerting application 66. Fromoperation 420, the routine 400 then ends.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an illustrative routine 500 will be describedillustrating a process performed by the alerting application 66 in thenetwork environment 2 for automatically setting an alert mode on thewireless device 20 from a network edge device, in accordance with analternative embodiment. The routine 500 begins at operation 510, wherethe alerting application 66 receives the scheduling data 64 to set analert mode period for an alert mode which may be selected on thewireless device 20. It should be understood that in this embodiment,alerting application 66 may be executing on a network edge device, suchas the wireless device 21 (either independently or via the stationaryemitter 13), the server 22, or the personal computer 26 in the networkenvironment 2. Furthermore, the scheduling data 64 may be received inthe network edge device and not in the wireless device 20. Stillfurther, the alert mode may comprise a silent alert mode.

From operation 510, the routine 500 continues to operation 520, wherethe alerting application 66 automatically sets the wireless device 20 tothe alert mode identified in the scheduling data 64 for the alert modeperiod. It will be appreciated that the alert mode may be remotely setfrom the server 22 using OTAP as described in greater detail above withrespect to operation 310 of FIG. 3.

From operation 520, the routine 500 continues to operation 530, wherethe alerting application 66 determines whether the wireless device 20receives any communications (e.g., telephone calls, SMS messages, etc.)during the scheduled alert mode period. In particular, the alertingapplication 66 may be configured to respond to a network trigger placedon a telephone number associated with the wireless device 20. Thus,whenever communications to the wireless device 20 are received in thenetwork environment 2, the alerting application 66 may be configured tocheck the scheduling data 64 to determine if the communications arebeing received during the alert mode period.

If, at operation 530, the alerting application 66 determines that thecommunications being received are not being received during the alertmode period, then the routine 500 ends. If, at operation 530, thealerting application 66 determines that the communications beingreceived are being received during the alert mode period, then theroutine 500 continues to operation 540 where the alerting application 66may send a message to the party or parties sending the communicationsthat the receiving party associated with the wireless device 20 isunavailable for the duration of the time remaining in the alert modeperiod. In particular, if the communications include a telephone calland a network voicemail box is associated with the wireless device 20telephone number then the alerting application 66 may be configured tosend the call to the network voicemail box for later retrieval. If thereis not a voicemail box associated with the wireless device 20 telephonenumber, then the alerting application 66 may be configured to cause theserver 22 to play an announcement to the sending party or parties thatthe wireless device 20 associated with the receiving party is currentlyin a silent alert mode and that the receiving party will be notified ofthe communications when the alert period has expired. If the incomingcommunications include SMS or text messages, the alerting application 66may be configured to send a return text message to the sending party orparties that the wireless device 20 associated with the receiving partyis currently in a silent alert mode and that the receiving party will benotified of the text messages when the alert period has expired. Thealerting application 66 may also be configured to instruct the server 22to queue or buffer all received text messages until the alert period hasexpired.

From operation 540, the routine 500 continues to operation 550, wherethe alerting application 66 may be configured to send a message to thewireless device 20 listing the communications received during the alertmode period. In particular, the alerting application 66 may beconfigured to send a text message to the wireless device 20 listing anycommunications (i.e., voice calls or text messages) directed to thewireless device 20 user's telephone number received in the networkenvironment 2 during the alert mode period. It should be understood thatthe alerting application 66 may also be configured to allow wirelessdevice users to determine whether or not to allow telephone calls, textmessages, and/or other notifications during the alert mode period. Fromoperation 550, the routine 500 then ends.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative routine 600 will be describedillustrating a process performed by the alerting application 66 in thenetwork environment 2 for automatically setting an alert mode utilizingsensor data received on the wireless device 20, in accordance withvarious embodiments. The routine 600 begins at operation 610 where thealerting application 66 receives sensor data indicative of a currentexternal state associated with the wireless device 20. In particular,the alerting application 66 may be configured to receive location andevent data determined by the location sensor 76, ambient noise datameasured by the microphone 72, and ambient temperature data measured bythe temperature sensor 80.

From operation 610, the routine 600 continues to operation 620, wherethe alerting application 66 automatically sets an alert mode based onand in response to the received sensor data. For example, if thealerting application 66 determines that the location data from thelocation sensor 76 indicates that the wireless device 20 is currentlylocated in a movie theater, the alerting application 66 may beconfigured to automatically cause the wireless device 20 to enter into asilent alert mode so that audible alerts are not generated for incomingcommunications during a movie. As another example, if the alertingapplication 66 determines from the noise data measured by the microphone72 that the ambient noise around the wireless device 20 is louder than apredetermined threshold noise level, the alerting application 66 may beconfigured to automatically set an audible alert mode which generates ahigh volume audible alert for incoming communications to the wirelessdevice 20, so that the communications may be heard above the currentambient noise level. As another example, if the alerting application 66determines from the temperature data measured by the temperature sensor80 that the temperature of the wireless device 20 is within a fewdegrees of a standard body temperature (i.e., 98.6 degrees), then thealerting application 66 may be configured to determine that the wirelessdevice 20 is being held by or near the body of a user and automaticallyset a silent alert mode (e.g., vibrating) on the wireless device 20 forincoming communications. From operation 620, the routine 600 then ends.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an illustrative routine 700 will be describedillustrating a process performed by the alerting application 66 in thenetwork environment 2 for automatically setting an alert mode on thewireless devices 20 and 21 utilizing venue-based data (which may includedata generated by the stationary emitter 13 described above with respectto FIG. 1), in accordance with various embodiments. The routine 700begins at operation 710 where the alerting application 66 executing onthe wireless device 20 may receive venue data from the stationaryemitter 13 upon an occurrence of an event at a venue. For example, thestationary emitter 13 may be located in a venue utilized for religiousservices and be configured to send data which includes a period duringwhich religious services are held in the venue.

From operation 710, the routine 700 continues to operation 720, wherethe alerting application 66 automatically sets an alert mode based onthe received venue data. For example, the alerting application 66 maycause the wireless device 21 to enter into a silent alert mode whichlasts the duration of a scheduled religious service. In accordance withanother embodiment, the wireless device 21 may further be configured to“discover” other devices in the vicinity (e.g., by communicating adiscovery signal within the facility utilizing any number of wirelesscommunications methods) and wirelessly communicate data causing thediscovered device or devices to also enter into the silent alert mode.The routine 700 then ends.

It will be apparent by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications or variations may be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodimentsof the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom consideration of the specification and practice of the inventiondisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a serverexecuting an alerting application, via a communications network,scheduling data comprising an alert mode period for a wireless deviceand an alert mode for the wireless device to be set to during the alertmode period; when a current period is within the alert mode period,automatically setting, by the server, over the communications network,the wireless device to the alert mode identified by the scheduling data,wherein automatically setting the wireless device to the alert modeidentified by the scheduling data comprises automatically accessing, bythe server, an alert mode menu on the wireless device, and using, by theserver, the alert mode menu on the wireless device accessed by theserver to change a previous alert mode of the wireless device to thealert mode identified by the scheduling data, wherein changing theprevious alert mode of the wireless device to the alert mode identifiedby the scheduling data using the alert mode menu on the wireless deviceaccessed by the server is performed by the alerting applicationexecuting on the server using over-the-air provisioning to wirelesslyand automatically set, by the server, the wireless device to the alertmode identified by the scheduling data; when the alert mode identifiedby the scheduling data has elapsed, resetting, by the server, over thecommunications network via over-the-air provisioning, the wirelessdevice back to the previous alert mode; receiving, by the server, sensordata indicative of an external state associated with the wirelessdevice, wherein the sensor data comprises at least one of ambient noisedata associated with the wireless device or ambient temperature dataassociated with the wireless device; and automatically setting, by theserver, the wireless device to an alert mode in accordance with thesensor data indicative of the external state associated with thewireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causingthe wireless device to generate an alert to notify a user of thewireless device when the alert mode period is coming to an end.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein causing the wireless device to generate thealert to notify the user of the wireless device when the alert modeperiod is coming to the end comprises causing the wireless device togenerate an increasing sequence of vibrating alerts to notify the userof the wireless device when the alert mode period is coming to the end.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, during thealert mode period, whether an input has been received at the wirelessdevice requesting an extension to the alert mode period; and in responseto determining that the input has been received, extending the alertmode period.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determiningwhether the wireless device receives any communications during the alertmode period; and in response to determining that the wireless devicereceives a communication during the alert mode period, sending a messageto a party sending the communication.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe message to the party sending the communication indicates that a userof the wireless device is unavailable for a duration of time remainingin the alert mode period.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprisingsending, to the wireless device, a message comprising a listing ofcommunications received during the alert mode period, the listing ofcommunications comprising the communication from the party.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: storing the scheduling data; andproviding, to a user of the wireless device, the scheduling data forselection as current scheduling data.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinproviding, to the user of the wireless device, the scheduling data forselection as the current scheduling data comprises generating a userinterface comprising the scheduling data.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising sending, by the server, over the communicationsnetwork, the scheduling data to the wireless device.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless device discovers a device in a vicinity ofthe wireless device and transmits data for use by the device to causethe device to enter into the alert mode in accordance with the sensordata.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storinginstructions that, when executed by a server, cause the server toperform operations comprising: receiving, via a communications network,scheduling data comprising an alert mode period for a wireless deviceand an alert mode for the wireless device to be set to during the alertmode period; when a current period is within the alert mode period,automatically setting, over the communications network, the wirelessdevice to the alert mode identified by the scheduling data, whereinautomatically setting the wireless device to the alert mode identifiedby the scheduling data comprises automatically accessing an alert modemenu on the wireless device, and using the alert mode menu on thewireless device accessed by the server to change a previous alert modeof the wireless device to the alert mode identified by the schedulingdata, wherein changing the previous alert mode of the wireless device tothe alert mode identified by the scheduling data is performed by theserver using over-the-air-provisioning to wirelessly and automaticallyset the wireless device to the alert mode identified by the schedulingdata; when the alert mode identified by the scheduling data has elapsed,resetting, over the communications network via over-the-airprovisioning, the wireless device back to the previous alert mode;receiving sensor data indicative of an external state associated withthe wireless device, wherein the sensor data comprises at least one ofambient noise data associated with the wireless device or ambienttemperature data associated with the wireless device; and automaticallysetting the wireless device to an alert mode in accordance with thesensor data indicative of the external state associated with thewireless device.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise causing thewireless device to generate an alert to notify a user of the wirelessdevice when the alert mode period is coming to an end.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, whereincausing the wireless device to generate the alert to notify the user ofthe wireless device when the alert mode period is coming to the endcomprises causing the wireless device to generate an increasing sequenceof vibrating alerts to notify the user of the wireless device when thealert mode period is coming to the end.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: determining, during the alert mode period, whether aninput has been received at the wireless device requesting an extensionto the alert mode period; and in response to determining that the inputhas been received, extending the alert mode period.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein theoperations further comprise: determining whether the wireless devicereceives any communications during the alert mode period; and inresponse to determining that the wireless device receives acommunication during the alert mode period, sending a message to a partysending the communication.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the message to the party sending thecommunication indicates that a user of the wireless device isunavailable for a duration of time remaining in the alert mode period.18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12,wherein the wireless device discovers a device in a vicinity of thewireless device and transmits data for use by the device to cause thedevice to enter into the alert mode in accordance with the sensor data.